Man charged in slaying on North Side

A Wrigleyville man has been charged with murder in the strangulation and stabbing death of an Arlington Heights woman Sunday morning.

Patrick Ford, 25, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Dana Mangi, according to the Cook County state's attorney's office. Police arrested Ford at his apartment in the 1000 block of West Grace Street Sunday after he called authorities to report Mangi's death. He had several self-inflicted knife wounds, authorities said.

Ford made incriminating statements to officers at the scene, said Belmont Area Cmdr. Tom Byrne. Later, while in custody, he allegedly confessed to strangling and stabbing Mangi, authorities said. Police recovered a knife they believe was used in the attack.

Byrne said Ford had known Mangi for at least six years, but police did not know the nature of their relationship. He said authorities do not have a motive for the murder.

Mangi, 25, who lived with her parents in the 600 block of North Carlyle Lane, wanted to be a veterinarian, a family friend said, and was enrolled at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota for the fall semester, a university official said.

She was a 2000 graduate of Prospect High School, where she was a student council member and senior leader, a school official said. She was also involved in softball and on the diving team.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of an alumnus, especially at such a young age," said Kurt Laakso, principal of Prospect High School. "Our condolences go out to her family, classmates and friends."

Family members at Mangi's home declined to talk Monday. A delivery woman could be seen placing flowers next to the front door after knocks at the door went unanswered.

Bob Holman, who has been friends with the Mangi family since living next door to them for more than 10 years, said he spoke to Mangi a few days ago.

"She was outside in the back yard on the patio," Holman said. "I asked her how everything is going. She said, 'Fine, everything is going well.' They are the nicest people. Their daughters were extremely friendly. They were really involved as students."

Mangi received a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Loyola University in Chicago in 2004, graduating cum laude, said a university official. She has a master's degree from a school in Minneapolis, Holman said.

Ford was expected to appear in Bond Court in Cook County Tuesday, said Tandra Simonton, a state's attorney's spokeswoman.